When I was a little girl in the 1970’s, the popular children’s films which are also musicals were ‘Wizard of Oz’, ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘Sound of Music’, ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and then in the 1980’s we had ‘Annie’, ‘Oliver Twist’, ‘A Christmas Carol’ and ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks’. I really enjoyed them a lot. I have watched a few of them in the movie houses, on our Betamax which eventually evolved into VHS, as well as on TV which the networks tend to air during the Christmas season.
December really reminds me of these classic children’s films, but they also say that the older you become, the more you remember your childhood.
Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Website: Mirabell Palace and Gardens
Following the spirit of the Christmas season, I am posting another nostalgia, a trip back in time, to a place that has been popularised by one of the films/musicals above, that will for sure bring back many memories of our past childhood days.
Last May I was in Salzburg, Austria and one of my visit highlights were the Mirabell Palace and Gardens built in 1606. The estate is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a wonderful place that reminds my generation in the 1970s and 1980s, and older generations as well, the Sound of Music film and musical.
The Mirabell Palace and Gardens were featured at the last part and finale of the ‘Do-Re-Mi’ song by Maria and the Von Trapp children. Check out this video about the shooting locations of the Sound of Music film: The Sound of Music Tour – Movie Locations (fast forward to 5:50 for the scene at the Mirabell)
TRIVIA: Did you know that many native Austrians have no clue about the Sound of Music or the singing Von Trapp Family story?
This reminds me of the Hans Brinker story of a little boy who saved Holland by plugging his finger into a broken dike. The natives in the Netherlands have no clue about it as well, haha. The reason really is because these stories were written by foreigners and circulated internationally =)
Let us set aside all these Christmastime thoughts of the past and investigate a little bit deeper the history of this lovely medieval palace. What and why this palace came to be….
Where it all began: An Illicit Medieval Love Affair
The palace was bulit in 1606 and the gardens were redesigned in 1690, which were then remodeled in 1740 by Franz Anton Danreiter.
TRIVIA: Did you know that this beautiful palace was built as a token of a prince-archbishop’s illicit love, and a residence-refuge as well, for his burgher (non-noble) mistress?
Prince-Archibishop of Salzburg, Wolf of Dietrich von Raitenau commissioned this palace, previously called the Altenau Palace, in 1606 for his mistress, Salome Alt. Salome was a lovely daughter of a rich protestant merchant. Because of their differences in status (he being a noble and she a burgher) and religion (he a catholic clergy and she a protestant) they could never be married, but they found ways to be together and remained true to each other.
Back in those days, the palace was situated outside the medieval gates of Salzburg across the river so the couple could go on with their lives without the prying eyes of the local people. Their illicit union gave them fifteen children, ten of whom have survived.
After Wolf Dietrich’s death the palace was renamed to Mirabell by his successor, Markus Sittecus von Hohenems. Mirabell means: Wonderful.
Such a remarkable love story. As they say, love is beautiful (or wonderful) and love conquers all. I wish you all lots of love this season and all throughout the year.
The Mirabell Palace nowadays houses the Salzburg mayor’s office and the municipal council. The palace (the Marble Hall) can also be rented out for concerts, meetings and events (i.e. weddings).
Travel Period: May 2013
Destination: Salzburg (Salzburg), The Netherlands
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Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)